High school students can represent Hawaiʻi abroad in 2027 through sister-state study tours

Hawaiʻi public high school students can now apply to be student ambassadors during the 2027 Hawaiʻi Sister-State Study Tours Program, a statewide global education program open to students in grades 9-12, with preference given to high school juniors and seniors, from the state’s public schools.

One student from each public high school in the state is selected for an opportunity to visit one of three of Hawaiʻi’s sister-state destinations from March 13-26.

Participating sister-state destinations include:

• Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, Philippines.
• Jeju Island, South Korea.
• Okinawa, Japan.

The program is offered by Pacific & Asian Affairs Council and East-West Center. It encourages students from all Hawaiʻi islands and communities to apply. Previous international travel experience is not required.

Deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Oct. 15.

Visit the Pacific & Asian Affairs Council website for complete eligibility requirements, program details and to apply.

The full program, valued at more than $8,800 per student, costs participating families no more than $500 and includes:

• Pre-trip orientation and preparation.
• International airfare.
• Lodging.
• Ground transportation.
• Meals.
• Travel insurance.
• Scheduled program activities.

Payment plans and need-based waivers are available so financial need does not prevent eligible students from applying.

“We want local students and families across Hawaiʻi to know that an international learning experience of this caliber is available to them,” said Pacific & Asian Affairs Council Executive Director Niki Shishido. “We’re looking for young people who are curious, adaptable, willing to step outside their comfort zones and ready to represent their school, community and Hawaiʻi.”

Shishido added the program’s purpose is to allow Hawaiʻi students to bring back with them new perspectives, foster relationships and develop ideas that can benefit everyone at home.

Students apply to the program rather than a specific destination. Participants are assigned to one of the three tour locations, each offering a unique opportunity to explore Hawaiʻi’s connections with its sister-state communities.

The 2027 tours build on the 2026 program, which brought together 42 student ambassadors from 42 public high schools on Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui and Oʻahu. It was the first time for 1 in 4 of last year’s participants to travel outside the United States.

Most students who participated in the 2026 program reported a greater understanding of global diplomacy (89%), greater confidence representing something larger than themselves (91% ), feeling better prepared to navigate unfamiliar situations (86%) and building meaningful relationships with their cohort (98%).

“Spending a week invested in the connections between Hawaiʻi and Jeju Island inspired me to learn more about global issues and other cultures,” said Waiʻanae High School (Oʻahu) student and 2026 Jeju Island Student Ambassador Jhera Mae Paulo. “Although we are both islands, I didn’t know we shared similar struggles like tourism and economic growth. I want to explore more solutions for keeping locals, especially the younger generation, home to support their community.”

Student ambassadors in the 2027 program will build on those experiences through a global perspectives research project, working with their delegation and mentors to investigate a challenge shared by Hawaiʻi and their host destination.

Participants also will develop recommendations based on what they learn abroad and present their findings during the Student Ambassador Showcase.

An online information session is scheduled from 3 to 4 p.m. Sept. 8 for students, parents, guardians and educators interested in learning more about the 2027 Hawaiʻi Sister-State Study Tours. Click here to attend.